Lord Mayor urges people to enjoy Moomba, and yes, there’s plenty of toilet paper

Melbourne’s famous Moomba Festival will feature waterskiing, a parade, the beloved Birdman Rally … and plenty of hand sanitiser and toilet paper, with the Lord Mayor quick to allay fears about coronavirus.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp encouraged people to visit and enjoy this weekend’s Moomba Festival, declaring it a low-risk environment amid coronavirus fears.

Ms Capp also said ample hand sanitiser would be available and the council had plenty of toilet paper.

“I want to assure everybody that they should feel confident to come into the city to enjoy Moomba over this long weekend,’’ Ms Capp said.

The Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company will be performing at Moomba. Picture: Jay Town

Mia checks out the prizes at Lucky Tickets. Picture: Jay Town

“We’re in constant communication with the chief medical offices at all levels of government, and making sure that we’re on top of any issues.

“At the moment we remain a low-risk environment, and we encourage people to come into the city to spend time with friends and family.’’

Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen. Picture: Jay Town

Moomba starts at 5pm on Friday with rides in Alexandra Gardens and Birrarung Marr, food trucks and entertainment.

The Birdman Rally will be held on Sunday morning, with 1800 performers participating in the Moomba Parade on Monday.

Parks Victoria officers clear the Yarra River of debris after the rain.

The festival will also host the skateboarding qualifying competition for the Tokyo Olympics

“In this current environment I think it’s more important than ever that people get together,’’ Ms Capp said.

Ms Capp also said the Yarra would be monitored and cleared of debris for the Birdman Rally and the waterskiing events.

The Trolls, Poppy and Branch, with friends Laura Parra and Sarah Loughlan, rushing to Moomba. Picture: Jay Town

Commander Tim Hansen said police would run Operation Omni to ensure a safe event for everyone.

Since 2016 when street brawls marred the festival, the number of robberies and assaults had “de-escalated”, Commander Hansen said.

Maddy McKinnon practices her Birdman Rally flying style. Picture: Jay Town

The Moomba Parade will feature all kinds of music and dancing. Picture Jay Town

“We will be activating our place command modules across all four days of the operation.’’

“Should gangs or groups of young people come into the CBD intending to cause trouble we will be meeting them, we’ll be waiting for them and we’ll be engaging with them and lying the law down with him quite early on in the night.’’

Maddy McKinnon (17, centre) from Monash District Girl Guides practices her Birdman Rally flying style, with help from fellow Girl Guides, Elana Katsaras (16) and Polly Sejavka (17). Picture: Jay Town

“(Operation Omni) gives police extra powers across the CBD precinct to both stop and prop and search people in certain circumstances.

“If you are going to bring weapons into the CBD fully expect to be searched and fully expect of feel the full brunt of the law. ‘’

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